A fight over the filibuster had kept the Senate stalled.Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said: “Today, two Democratic Senators publicly confirmed they will not vote to end the legislative filibuster.” | Susan Walsh/AP PhotoSenate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell backed down from his demand that any Senate power-sharing agreement include protections for the legislative filibuster, after Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema reaffirmed their opposition Monday to scrapping the procedural tool.“Today, two Democratic Senators publicly confirmed they will not vote to end the...…A fight over the filibuster had kept the Senate stalled.Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said: “Today, two Democratic Senators publicly confirmed they will not vote to end the legislative filibuster.” | Susan Walsh/AP PhotoSenate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell backed down from his demand that any Senate power-sharing agreement include protections for the legislative filibuster, after Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema reaffirmed their opposition Monday to scrapping the procedural tool.“Today, two Democratic Senators publicly confirmed they will not vote to end the...WW…

The government is already collaborating with Moderna to develop vaccine booster shots aimed at strains first identified in South Africa and the United Kingdom.A Walgreens pharmacist prepares a syringe with the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for residents and staff at the The Palace assisted living facility in Coral Gables, Fla. | Lynne Sladky, File/APThe Biden administration is rushing to prevent the spread of new strains of the coronavirus that scientists worry could be more transmissible or render vaccines less effective.The government is already collaborating with Moderna to develop...…The government is already collaborating with Moderna to develop vaccine booster shots aimed at strains first identified in South Africa and the United Kingdom.A Walgreens pharmacist prepares a syringe with the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for residents and staff at the The Palace assisted living facility in Coral Gables, Fla. | Lynne Sladky, File/APThe Biden administration is rushing to prevent the spread of new strains of the coronavirus that scientists worry could be more transmissible or render vaccines less effective.The government is already collaborating with Moderna to develop...WW…

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has pushed for a guarantee that the filibuster remain in place.Sen. Joe Manchin answers questions at the U.S. Capitol. | Photo by Win McNamee/Getty ImagesAs the Senate sits in a standoff over the future of the filibuster, Joe Manchin doesn’t know how he can be any clearer.“If I haven’t said it very plain, maybe Sen. McConnell hasn’t understood, I want to basically say it for you. That I will not vote in this Congress, that’s two years, right? I will not vote” to change the filibuster, Manchin (D-W.Va.) said in an interview on Monday afternoon. “And I...…Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has pushed for a guarantee that the filibuster remain in place.Sen. Joe Manchin answers questions at the U.S. Capitol. | Photo by Win McNamee/Getty ImagesAs the Senate sits in a standoff over the future of the filibuster, Joe Manchin doesn’t know how he can be any clearer.“If I haven’t said it very plain, maybe Sen. McConnell hasn’t understood, I want to basically say it for you. That I will not vote in this Congress, that’s two years, right? I will not vote” to change the filibuster, Manchin (D-W.Va.) said in an interview on Monday afternoon. “And I...WW…

The former president has all but vanished from public view while his former team navigates an unforgiving job market.Unseen by the public and unusually quiet as key parts of his policy legacy are dismantled by the new administration, the once ubiquitous Donald Trump has been plotting out his political future. | Pete Marovich/Getty ImagesFour days into his post-presidency life, Donald Trump has insulated himself from the outside world.Unseen by the public and unusually quiet as key parts of his policy legacy are dismantled by the new administration, the once ubiquitous Trump has been...…The former president has all but vanished from public view while his former team navigates an unforgiving job market.Unseen by the public and unusually quiet as key parts of his policy legacy are dismantled by the new administration, the once ubiquitous Donald Trump has been plotting out his political future. | Pete Marovich/Getty ImagesFour days into his post-presidency life, Donald Trump has insulated himself from the outside world.Unseen by the public and unusually quiet as key parts of his policy legacy are dismantled by the new administration, the once ubiquitous Trump has been...WW…

“I regret to inform you that I am infected with COVID-19,” he tweeted.Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Sunday he has tested positive for Covid-19 and that the symptoms are mild. | Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesMEXICO CITY — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Sunday he has tested positive for Covid-19 and that the symptoms are mild.Mexico’s president, who has been criticized for his handling of his country’s pandemic, said on his official Twitter account that he is under medical treatment.“I regret to inform you that I am infected with COVID-19,” he tweeted. “The...…“I regret to inform you that I am infected with COVID-19,” he tweeted.Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Sunday he has tested positive for Covid-19 and that the symptoms are mild. | Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesMEXICO CITY — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Sunday he has tested positive for Covid-19 and that the symptoms are mild.Mexico’s president, who has been criticized for his handling of his country’s pandemic, said on his official Twitter account that he is under medical treatment.“I regret to inform you that I am infected with COVID-19,” he tweeted. “The...WW…

"It has gotten harder and harder to break through the partisan gridlock," he said.Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) listens during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing. | Bill Clark/AP PhotoOhio Republican Rob Portman will not seek a third Senate term in 2022, a blow to Republicans’ hopes of taking back the Senate.The two-term senator said that the legislative paralysis in the Senate was a major factor in his decision to retire at the end of next year."It has gotten harder and harder to break through the partisan gridlock and make progress on substantive policy, and...…"It has gotten harder and harder to break through the partisan gridlock," he said.Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) listens during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing. | Bill Clark/AP PhotoOhio Republican Rob Portman will not seek a third Senate term in 2022, a blow to Republicans’ hopes of taking back the Senate.The two-term senator said that the legislative paralysis in the Senate was a major factor in his decision to retire at the end of next year."It has gotten harder and harder to break through the partisan gridlock and make progress on substantive policy, and...WW…

Some Trump loving members of the press corps are eager to get access to the Biden White House.Trump-aligned hosts, like Sean Spicer, who didn’t get into the White House briefing room last week argued that the group of attendees went soft on Biden. | Alex Wong/Getty ImagesEric Bolling, the conservative host of Sinclair Broadcast Group’s “America This Week,” would travel regularly to Donald Trump’s White House, interviewing the former president seven times and occasionally attending press briefings.Trump’s now gone and Bolling is facing a vastly different professional landscape. The current...…Some Trump loving members of the press corps are eager to get access to the Biden White House.Trump-aligned hosts, like Sean Spicer, who didn’t get into the White House briefing room last week argued that the group of attendees went soft on Biden. | Alex Wong/Getty ImagesEric Bolling, the conservative host of Sinclair Broadcast Group’s “America This Week,” would travel regularly to Donald Trump’s White House, interviewing the former president seven times and occasionally attending press briefings.Trump’s now gone and Bolling is facing a vastly different professional landscape. The current...WW…

The former White House press secretary is the daughter of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.Former Trump White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is expected to launch her campaign for Arkansas governor. | Mark Wilson/Getty ImagesFormer Trump White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is expected to launch her campaign for Arkansas governor on Monday, according to three people familiar with her plans.Sanders has long been planning to run for governor, and Donald Trump signaled his support for her anticipated bid upon her 2019 departure from the White House.The news was...…The former White House press secretary is the daughter of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.Former Trump White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is expected to launch her campaign for Arkansas governor. | Mark Wilson/Getty ImagesFormer Trump White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is expected to launch her campaign for Arkansas governor on Monday, according to three people familiar with her plans.Sanders has long been planning to run for governor, and Donald Trump signaled his support for her anticipated bid upon her 2019 departure from the White House.The news was...WW…

The Missouri Republican has faced growing calls for his removal in the aftermath of the Capitol siege.Sen. Josh Hawley sits in the House Chamber before a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021. | Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesSen. Josh Hawley on Monday filed a counter-complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee against the seven Senate Democrats who had previously filed a complaint against him and Sen. Ted Cruz over the two Republicans’ objections to the results of the 2020 presidential election.“The idea that one Senator who disagrees with another Senator can therefore have that Senator...…The Missouri Republican has faced growing calls for his removal in the aftermath of the Capitol siege.Sen. Josh Hawley sits in the House Chamber before a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021. | Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesSen. Josh Hawley on Monday filed a counter-complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee against the seven Senate Democrats who had previously filed a complaint against him and Sen. Ted Cruz over the two Republicans’ objections to the results of the 2020 presidential election.“The idea that one Senator who disagrees with another Senator can therefore have that Senator...WW…

He has been critical of the process in the past.Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Democrats would pass a Covid-19 relief bill using budget reconciliation, which requires only a simple majority vote. | Samuel Corum/Getty ImagesSen. Bernie Sanders on Sunday said Senate Democrats would pass a Covid-19 relief bill as soon as possible through budget reconciliation, which would allow the package to pass with a simple majority vote rather than with the support of 60 senators.“We are going to use reconciliation, that is 50 votes in the Senate plus the vice president, to pass legislation desperately...…He has been critical of the process in the past.Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Democrats would pass a Covid-19 relief bill using budget reconciliation, which requires only a simple majority vote. | Samuel Corum/Getty ImagesSen. Bernie Sanders on Sunday said Senate Democrats would pass a Covid-19 relief bill as soon as possible through budget reconciliation, which would allow the package to pass with a simple majority vote rather than with the support of 60 senators.“We are going to use reconciliation, that is 50 votes in the Senate plus the vice president, to pass legislation desperately...WW…

“I saw the president presenting graphs that I never made,” the former White House coronavirus response coordinator told CBS.White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx speaks during a Nov. 19 news conference. | Susan Walsh/AP PhotoWhile Deborah Birx served as the White House coronavirus response coordinator under President Donald Trump, “outside advisers” were bringing him “parallel” sets of data on the Covid-19 pandemic, she said in an interview that aired on Sunday.“I saw the president presenting graphs that I never made,” Birx said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “So, I know...…“I saw the president presenting graphs that I never made,” the former White House coronavirus response coordinator told CBS.White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx speaks during a Nov. 19 news conference. | Susan Walsh/AP PhotoWhile Deborah Birx served as the White House coronavirus response coordinator under President Donald Trump, “outside advisers” were bringing him “parallel” sets of data on the Covid-19 pandemic, she said in an interview that aired on Sunday.“I saw the president presenting graphs that I never made,” Birx said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “So, I know...WW…

Johnson congratulated Biden for his inauguration and praised Biden's decision to reenter the Paris climate agreement.Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks with veterans, during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London, Sunday Nov. 8, 2020. | Chris Jackson/Pool via APPresident Joe Biden spoke with U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday, with NATO, trade, climate and Covid discussed among other topline issues.Biden "conveyed his intention to strengthen the special relationship between our countries and revitalize transatlantic ties, underscoring the...…Johnson congratulated Biden for his inauguration and praised Biden's decision to reenter the Paris climate agreement.Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks with veterans, during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London, Sunday Nov. 8, 2020. | Chris Jackson/Pool via APPresident Joe Biden spoke with U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday, with NATO, trade, climate and Covid discussed among other topline issues.Biden "conveyed his intention to strengthen the special relationship between our countries and revitalize transatlantic ties, underscoring the...WW…

The assessment comes on the heels of a deadly riot at the Capitol staged by right-wing extremists earlier this month.Supporters of then-President Donald Trump clash with Capitol police on Jan. 6, 2021.President Joe Biden has asked the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to conduct a “comprehensive threat assessment” of domestic extremism following the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol by a violent mob that left five people dead.White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced on Friday that Biden decided to ask for the review, which will be coordinated with the FBI and Department of...…The assessment comes on the heels of a deadly riot at the Capitol staged by right-wing extremists earlier this month.Supporters of then-President Donald Trump clash with Capitol police on Jan. 6, 2021.President Joe Biden has asked the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to conduct a “comprehensive threat assessment” of domestic extremism following the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol by a violent mob that left five people dead.White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced on Friday that Biden decided to ask for the review, which will be coordinated with the FBI and Department of...WW…

OAKLAND, Calif. — As speculation grows that Gov. Gavin Newsom is leaning toward California elections chief Alex Padilla to fill the U.S. Senate seat of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, a crowd of top Democratic donors and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown are launching an aggressive campaign to argue that another woman of color should fill that seat instead.Brown, the former longtime speaker of the California Assembly, said he's launching a drive Monday to organize Black churches, pastors, civic leaders, fraternal organizations and prominent members of the Black press statewide to...…OAKLAND, Calif. — As speculation grows that Gov. Gavin Newsom is leaning toward California elections chief Alex Padilla to fill the U.S. Senate seat of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, a crowd of top Democratic donors and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown are launching an aggressive campaign to argue that another woman of color should fill that seat instead.Brown, the former longtime speaker of the California Assembly, said he's launching a drive Monday to organize Black churches, pastors, civic leaders, fraternal organizations and prominent members of the Black press statewide to...WW…

“It’s kind of goofy at the moment,” says the No. 2 Senate Republican.As Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell negotiate a power sharing agreement for a 50-50 Senate, committee assignments are still up in the air. | Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesDemocrats are in control of the Senate. But Sen. Ron Johnson is still leading the Homeland Security Committee, even though he's term-limited and in the minority.It's the latest complication of the 50-50 Senate split. “I’m still chairman,” the Wisconsin Republican said this week. “They haven’t hung my picture in...…“It’s kind of goofy at the moment,” says the No. 2 Senate Republican.As Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell negotiate a power sharing agreement for a 50-50 Senate, committee assignments are still up in the air. | Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesDemocrats are in control of the Senate. But Sen. Ron Johnson is still leading the Homeland Security Committee, even though he's term-limited and in the minority.It's the latest complication of the 50-50 Senate split. “I’m still chairman,” the Wisconsin Republican said this week. “They haven’t hung my picture in...WW…

At a time when large portions of the country think mainstream media is a tool of the left, perhaps it’s time to tone down the Biden adulation.AP Photo/Alex BrandonWashington’s public works department should have built an emergency system of drainage ditches, culverts and tunnels to divert into the Potomac River the torrents of praise, approval and adoration the press poured down on President Joe Biden on Inauguration Day. At one point in the early evening, citizens living in low-lying portions of the city were at risk of drowning in the flash flood of commendations that flowed during the...…At a time when large portions of the country think mainstream media is a tool of the left, perhaps it’s time to tone down the Biden adulation.AP Photo/Alex BrandonWashington’s public works department should have built an emergency system of drainage ditches, culverts and tunnels to divert into the Potomac River the torrents of praise, approval and adoration the press poured down on President Joe Biden on Inauguration Day. At one point in the early evening, citizens living in low-lying portions of the city were at risk of drowning in the flash flood of commendations that flowed during the...WW…

"I mean, why would you want to put yourself through that every day?" Birx says in the interview.Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, watches as former President Donald Trump speaks to reporters April 20 in the White House briefing room. | Alex Brandon/AP PhotoDeborah Birx frequently contemplated quitting her post as White House coronavirus response coordinator due to the hyperpartisan environment within the Trump administration, she said in an interview set to air Sunday.Asked by Margaret Brennan on CBS' "Face the Nation" if she ever thought of leaving the...…"I mean, why would you want to put yourself through that every day?" Birx says in the interview.Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, watches as former President Donald Trump speaks to reporters April 20 in the White House briefing room. | Alex Brandon/AP PhotoDeborah Birx frequently contemplated quitting her post as White House coronavirus response coordinator due to the hyperpartisan environment within the Trump administration, she said in an interview set to air Sunday.Asked by Margaret Brennan on CBS' "Face the Nation" if she ever thought of leaving the...WW…

New Jersey health officials on Friday confirmed the state’s first two cases of the new and more contagious variant of the coronavirus that was first reported in the United Kingdom.“Today, we are reporting that two confirmed, Covid-19 variant cases involving the B.1.1.7, or the U.K. variant, have been identified in New Jersey,” Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said during Gov. Phil Murphy’s regular press briefing in Trenton.The details: One case is from an Ocean County man in his 60s who had no travel history or clear exposure to coronavirus positive contacts. The man first reported...…New Jersey health officials on Friday confirmed the state’s first two cases of the new and more contagious variant of the coronavirus that was first reported in the United Kingdom.“Today, we are reporting that two confirmed, Covid-19 variant cases involving the B.1.1.7, or the U.K. variant, have been identified in New Jersey,” Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said during Gov. Phil Murphy’s regular press briefing in Trenton.The details: One case is from an Ocean County man in his 60s who had no travel history or clear exposure to coronavirus positive contacts. The man first reported...WW…

The leading candidates for the cyber positions have been described as well prepared to confront an ongoing cyber espionage crisis and other digital security challenges.President Joe Biden is expected to pick three Obama administration veterans for key roles on the National Security Council and at DHS' Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden is expected to appoint former officials with extensive cyber policy experience to three crucial positions as his administration grapples with digital security threats including the massive...…The leading candidates for the cyber positions have been described as well prepared to confront an ongoing cyber espionage crisis and other digital security challenges.President Joe Biden is expected to pick three Obama administration veterans for key roles on the National Security Council and at DHS' Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden is expected to appoint former officials with extensive cyber policy experience to three crucial positions as his administration grapples with digital security threats including the massive...WW…

The program has been plagued with delays this year because of a mix of political failure in Congress and bureaucracy at the Agriculture Department.A sign noting the acceptance of EBT cards that are used by state welfare departments to issue benefits is displayed at a convenience store in Richmond, Calif. | Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesThe Biden administration will announce Friday that it is bumping up aid payments for millions of low-income households with children by 15 percent. It is part of several new actions aimed at getting more government assistance out as the pandemic drags on.The...…The program has been plagued with delays this year because of a mix of political failure in Congress and bureaucracy at the Agriculture Department.A sign noting the acceptance of EBT cards that are used by state welfare departments to issue benefits is displayed at a convenience store in Richmond, Calif. | Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesThe Biden administration will announce Friday that it is bumping up aid payments for millions of low-income households with children by 15 percent. It is part of several new actions aimed at getting more government assistance out as the pandemic drags on.The...WW…

Guardsmen were later let back into facilities after an outry from lawmakers.Some National Guardsmen sleep on the ground of a parking garage near the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. | POLITICOThousands of National Guardsmen were allowed back into the Capitol Thursday night, hours after U.S. Capitol Police officials ordered them to vacate the facilities, sending them outdoors or to nearby parking garages after two weeks pulling security duty after the deadly riot on Jan. 6.One unit, which had been resting in the Dirksen Senate Office building, was abruptly told to vacate the facility on Thursday,...…Guardsmen were later let back into facilities after an outry from lawmakers.Some National Guardsmen sleep on the ground of a parking garage near the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. | POLITICOThousands of National Guardsmen were allowed back into the Capitol Thursday night, hours after U.S. Capitol Police officials ordered them to vacate the facilities, sending them outdoors or to nearby parking garages after two weeks pulling security duty after the deadly riot on Jan. 6.One unit, which had been resting in the Dirksen Senate Office building, was abruptly told to vacate the facility on Thursday,...WW…

Kamala Harris will break any ties amid a 50-50 split.Democrats are now officially in charge of the Senate, capping the best day for the party in 12 years.Chuck Schumer became majority leader late Wednesday afternoon, following the swearing in of Democratic Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Alex Padilla of California by Vice President Kamala Harris.The Senate "will turn to Democratic control under the first New York-born majority leader in American history, a kid from Brooklyn, the son of an exterminator and a housewife, descendents of victims of the Holocaust," Schumer...…Kamala Harris will break any ties amid a 50-50 split.Democrats are now officially in charge of the Senate, capping the best day for the party in 12 years.Chuck Schumer became majority leader late Wednesday afternoon, following the swearing in of Democratic Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Alex Padilla of California by Vice President Kamala Harris.The Senate "will turn to Democratic control under the first New York-born majority leader in American history, a kid from Brooklyn, the son of an exterminator and a housewife, descendents of victims of the Holocaust," Schumer...WW…

The report was meant to be the definitive conservative rendering of U.S. history. But historians have slammed it as sloppy and slanted.President Donald Trump speaks to the White House conference on American History at the National Archives Museum on Sept. 17, 2020, in Washington. | Alex Brandon/AP PhotoPresident Donald Trump’s 1776 Commission was supposed to be the definitive “patriotic” rejoinder to the academic left for what conservatives view as a slanderous rendering of U.S. history. But the report released by the commission on Monday has been mocked by historians as slapdash and...…The report was meant to be the definitive conservative rendering of U.S. history. But historians have slammed it as sloppy and slanted.President Donald Trump speaks to the White House conference on American History at the National Archives Museum on Sept. 17, 2020, in Washington. | Alex Brandon/AP PhotoPresident Donald Trump’s 1776 Commission was supposed to be the definitive “patriotic” rejoinder to the academic left for what conservatives view as a slanderous rendering of U.S. history. But the report released by the commission on Monday has been mocked by historians as slapdash and...WW…